How To Recognize Bipolar Disorder

First of all, what is a bipolar disorder? It has many clinical terms, such as manic-depressive illness and manic depression. It is characterized by fluctuating energy levels and mood swings, and when left undiagnosed can result to damaged relationships, poor performance or even attempts at suicide.

Bipolar disorder is a medical condition, attributed to such factors as genes, chemical imbalances in the brain, or a specific event such as the loss of a job or a loved one. It usually develops in the late teens or early adulthood, although there are some cases of it being manifested during childhood or late middle age. This is one medical condition that is commonly left undiagnosed, because it may be shrugged off as a mere weakness or a character flaw. Again, it should be noted that as it is a medical condition, it must be diagnosed and appropriately treated by medical practitioners. It can also be a long-term illness that must be managed throughout one's life with close cooperation with one's doctor or psychiatrist.

So how does one recognize if someone is suffering from bipolar disorder? Here are some symptoms:

• Unusual mood shifts. This is typically the major symptom of bipolar disorder. A sufferer would usually experience fluctuating mood swings, wherein he would exhibit manic episodes (or being overly excited or joyful) for a period of time, afterwards plunging to depressive episodes (being extremely sad). In between, the sufferer could experience a "break period" that enables him to resume to normal functioning (free from mood shifts). However, there are cases wherein the sufferer's mood cycle plunges and escalates without any of these break periods.
  1. Manic Episodes. This is characterized by such symptoms as restlessness, being unable to sleep, impatience, an exaggerated sense of self-importance, being overly distracted, and being irritable.
  2. Depressive episodes. Characterized by a feeling of emptiness, fatigue, anger, worry and anxiety. In many cases this is when the sufferer would entertain thoughts of death and suicide.
  3. Hypomania. This is mild to moderate mania, characterized by optimism and increased creativity.
• Irrational disposition. A person suffering from bipolar condition may also exhibit an irrational disposition, or an emotional state characterized by a mixture of extreme energy (seeming optimism) and hopelessness demonstrated at the same time. This is in fact a "mixed state" which can be defined as a combination of manic and depressive episodes.
• Mild psychotic states. In extreme cases a sufferer could experience psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions.
• Extreme emotional states. A person with bipolar disorder could demonstrate emotions at extreme degrees; for example, he could become explosive because of the slightest thing; he could weep wildly over seemingly shallow reasons. He could also think seriously or even talk about committing suicide.

They major key to recognizing bipolar disorder is to not trivialize a person's seemingly irrational emotional state and just telling him to "get over it." Keep an open mind and acknowledge that his feelings or worries might be a symptom of a bigger, underlying condition. From thereon be sure to consult a certified psychologist, prepare a complete, detailed history to assist in the speedy diagnosis and treatment and work with that medical practitioner to develop an appropriate treatment plan.